Malayali Community Members Celebrate Onam Festival

KERALA, INDIA - SEPTEMBER 3: Malayali community women erect special swings on the occasion of Onam festival, on September 3, 2017 in Kerala, India. Onam is an annual harvest festival of Kerala. The festival is mainly celebrated by Malayalees around the world with traditional folk dances, artworks, etc. According to the Onam story and its popular myth, Lord Vishnu in his Vamana avtar sents King Mahabali to hell as the gods becomes jealous of his popularity. But grants him a boon that the king can visit his subjects once in a year. Thus, it is believed that Onam is celebrated as King Mahabali's visit to the place. It is the only festival in which both the winner and the defeater are worshipped. Onam Festival falls during the Malayali month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali. Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition. (Photo by Vivek Nair/Hindustan Times )